School History

History

In 1866, land was purchased for the West Dubuque School, which would become the first of four Irving School buildings. The exact location of this school is uncertain, but it has been said that the building was located across the street from where Westminster Church now stands. This two-room structure was destroyed by fire in 1880.

The second Irving School was constructed in 1881 on the site where Westminster Church is now located. This two-story building was also destroyed by fire in 1892.

The third Irving School was built that same year. In 1924, an annex was added, which was connected to the main building by an underground tunnel.

In 1951, it was decided to build a new Irving School. The site chosen for the new building was then beyond the city limits in the wide open spaces of a pasture. C. Freaman Reid was principal during this time. Enrollment continued to grow at the school, and in 1961 an addition was completed.

In the summer of 2001, the installation of an elevator was completed to make the building handicapped accessible. At that time 540 was the official student enrollment. Due to the increased enrollment and additional programs, 2 portable classrooms were constructed on the east side.

Irving History Photos

1880: The Daily Herald’s news article about the fire that destroyed the 1st Irving School.

1880: A description of the 2nd Irving School as seen in the Daily Herald.

1881: The 2nd Irving School

1892: The 2nd Irving School burns to the ground.

1907: The 3rd Irving School

1914: Irving School A Room Grammar Department Photo. Principal Walsh is on the right side.

1924: The Annex added to the 3rd Irving School.

1950: A sketch of the underground tunnel students used to get from the 3rd Irving School to the Annex.

1950: The 3rd Irving School (left) and the Annex (right).

1953: An aerial view of the 4th (and current) Irving School and surrounding area. Notice the construction of Flora Pool and the country setting.

1953: A front view of the 4th (and current) Irving School.

1953: A rear view of the 4th (and current) Irving School.

1953: A name is chosen for the 4th (and current) Irving School.

Timeline

Year

Historical Moment

1866

West Dubuque School Built (1st Irving) at the corner of University Avenue and Irving Street

1866

Land was purchased from Mr. Bush for $500.00

1866

2 room frame building with 2 teachers

1866

School had a capacity of 120 students

1867

School Opened with 52 Students

1875

15 minute recess was introduced

1880

December 1 – West Dubuque School Burned (1st Irving)

1881

January 3 – Building rented and children back in school

1881

West Dubuque School Built (2nd Irving)

1883

Teacher/Pupil ratio 1 to 54

1884

Slate blackboards installed on a trial basis

1890

56 students at beginning of year

1890

78 students at end of year

1890

Fire escapes added to all schools 3 stories high

1892

77 students

1892

2nd Irving School destroyed by fire

1892

3rd Irving School built ($17,404) by G. S. Weaver

1894

Kindergarten classes began

1895

Water pails banished, replaced with running water

1905

Schools were fumigated 1 or 2 times per week for Diptheria and Scarlet Fever

1915

Irving PTA founded

1916

April 7 – First Irving PTA meeting

1916

Dental inspections began

1920

District planned to1866 build a junior high – Irving would become K-6

1922

PTA became affiliated with State and National PTA

1922

Married women could not be hired to teach

1924

Annex to 3rd Irving (4 rooms and a gym)

1924

Annex connected to the other building by an underground tunnel

1932

Library established at 3rd Irving

1940

March 18 – Grading and driveway started at 3rd Irving

1942

Air Raid drills started

1943

School delayed 1 month due to Polio outbreak

1947

Fire escape added to 3rd Irving

1949

9.3 acres purchased for new school

1950

374 students

1950

14 teachers

1950

50,000 population of Dubuque

1951

Cornerstone laid at New Irving – property outside of city limits

1952

July 1 – 3rd Irving School sold for $46,052

1953

4th Irving School completed

1954

464 students

1955

15 teachers

1955

410 PTA members

1955

56,100 population of Dubuque

1955

472 students

1955

15 teachers

1955

454 PTA members

1955

55,000 population of Dubuque

1956

498 students

1956

15 teachers

1956

457 PTA members

1956

57,910 population of Dubuque

956

Irving School Safety Patrol started (just boys)

1957

570 students

1957

16 teachers

1957

506 PTA members

1957

57,910 population of Dubuque

1957

Polio shots required

1958

Classrooms crowded

1958

Kindergarten in lunchroom

1958

Lunchroom in the halls

1958

643 students

1958

18 teachers

1958

473 PTA members

1958

57,190 population of Dubuque

1959

685 students

1959

21 teachers

1959

534 PTA members

1959

Bond Issue passed for 5 rooms to be added to Irving School

1960

800 students

1960

23 teschers

1960

626 PTA members

1960

Ground breaking for addition

1960

874 students

1960

24 teachers

1960

655 PTA members

1962

921 students

1962

24 teachers

1962

722 PTA members

1962

Entrance blacktopped

1963

981 students

1963

25 teachers

1963

772 PTA members

1969

655 students

1970

926 students

1970

Shared time began

1970

Portable classrooms added

1970

Learning Center opened

1971

867 students

1972

869 students

1973

830 students

1974

782 Students

1975

660 students

1975

Stop lights in front of school on Pennsylvania Avenue installed.

1975

Girls allowed to be patrol members

1976

591 students

1976

Last year for shared time

1976

Bicentennial – time capsule buried in basement

1977

611 students

1978

607 students

1978

Energy efficient windows installed

1979

592 students

1980

527 students

1980

Flourescent lights installed

1981

554 students

1982

562 students

1983

526 students

1984

431 students

1984

Wooden playground equipment installed

1985

441 students

1985

Security system installed

1986

451 students

1986

May 4 – Irving School Reunion, “Homecoming ’86 – Pride in Dubuque”

1987

445 students

1987

Apple IIe computer lab in place

1988

466 students

1989

511 students

1990

545 students

1991

587 students

1992

552 students

1993

546 students

1994

518 students

1995

539 students

1996

513 students

1997

522 students

1998

509 students

1998

Whole school wired for the District’s computer network

1999

522 students

1999

National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Awarded

1999

TV/VCR installed in every classroom

1999

Security camera system installed

2000

538 students

2000

1976 Time Capsule opened, displayed, items added, and resealed

2000

Elevator installed

2001

540 students

2001

FINE Recognition Award

2001

All-Day-Every-Day Kindergarten started

2001

2 portable classrooms added on the east side of the building

2002

571 students

2002

Phones installed in every classroom

2010

526 students

2010

New addition on south side of building is completed – LRC, computer lab, lunchroom